France will ban social media for children under 15

France is advancing legislation to ban social media access for children under the age of 15. This bill is expected to receive final approval from the country's two houses of parliament, with a vote anticipated on July 21st. If passed, France would become the first country in Europe to implement such a ban, following Australia's lead, which enacted a similar restriction for individuals under 16 on platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube in December. The legislation is motivated by growing concerns regarding the mental health and safety of young people in relation to social media usage. Lawmakers have reached a compromise on the text of the bill, which aims to address these issues by restricting access to social media for minors. The proposed ban is part of a broader effort to safeguard the well-being of children in the digital age. In addition to the social media ban, the bill also includes provisions that prohibit the use of mobile phones in high schools. This aspect of the legislation is intended to further limit distractions and promote a healthier learning environment for students. The implementation of these measures could take effect by the start of the new school year in September, reinforcing France's commitment to leading the way in protecting minors from the potential harms of social media.